Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns

Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

MENDICANT

Possible Answers:

vagabond

contaminant

harbinger

proclivity

iconoclast

Correct answer:

vagabond

Explanation:

A "mendicant" is a vagabond or a beggar. An "iconoclast" is someone who goes against established traditions or beliefs. A "harbinger" is an omen or portent. A "contaminant" is an impurity or pollutant. A "proclivity" is a tendency or a habit.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

STEVEDORE

Possible Answers:

dockworker

instigator

dotard

virtuoso

drivel

Correct answer:

dockworker

Explanation:

"Stevedore" and "dockworker" are both synonyms. "Drivel" means foolish talk or babble. "Virtuoso" means a person who is an expert. "Dotard" means a fogy or dull person. "Instigator" means troublemaker or agitator.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

WARD

Possible Answers:

Demonstrator

Protector

Resident

Manager

Dependent

Correct answer:

Dependent

Explanation:

"Ward" is a noun that can mean "a separate room in a hospital, typically one allocated to a particular type of patient," "an administrative division of a city or borough that typically elects and is represented by a councilor or councilors," or "a person, usually a minor, under the care and control of a guardian appointed by their parents or a court." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a separate room in a hospital," "an administrative division of a city," or "a person under the care of a guardian." "Protector," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "protector" means the opposite of the third definition of "ward." "Dependent," however, when used as a noun, means "a person who relies on another, especially a family member, for financial support," and because "dependent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ward," "dependent" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

COTERIE

Possible Answers:

Malfunction

Extraction

Insurgency

Clique

Omnivore

Correct answer:

Clique

Explanation:

"Coterie" means clique or small group of friends, so "clique" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices is close in meaning to "coterie": "extraction" means the act of removing something or the act of taking something out of something else; an "omnivore" is an organism that consumes meat and vegetables; "insurgency" is an organizedrebellion, usually against an established government; and "malfunction" means not function properly or break down.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RABBLE

Possible Answers:

Wander

Dilate

Mob

Murderers

Expound

Correct answer:

Mob

Explanation:

Do not confuse the word “rabble” with “ramble.” The latter means either “to wander” or “to speak in a confused, unending manner.” A “rabble” is a disorganized mob, sometimes implying that such people are the “low class rabble.” The best option among those provided would be “mob.”

Example Question #222 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SAVANT

Possible Answers:

Intellectual

Iconoclast

Enigma

Amateur

Misogynist

Correct answer:

Intellectual

Explanation:

"Savant" and "intellectual" both mean an academic or highly intelligent person. "Amateur" means beginner or learner. "Misogynist" means someone who hates women. "Iconoclast" is someone who breaks from established norms or traditions. "Enigma" is a puzzle or riddle.

Example Question #221 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ADVERSARY

Possible Answers:

Opponent

Soldier

Feud

Anger

Fighter

Correct answer:

Opponent

Explanation:

The word “adversary” literally comes from the roots “to turn toward.” The word “reverse” has a similar root in it, here meaning to turn back. (The “re-” prefix indicates the “back” portion of the meaning.) Someone’s adversary is not necessarily a fighter in the literal sense, though that person is “turned toward” another person or, in another way, turned against that person. While two people in a duel are adversaries, it is likewise the case that two disputing scholars could be called the same.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MECHANIC

Possible Answers:

Laborer

Technical

Deistic

Fabricated

Technician

Correct answer:

Technician

Explanation:

The noun “mechanic” merely means one who specializes in maintaining and fixing things that are mechanical, that is, machinery and technology. Options like “technical” and “fabricated” do not work, as they are adjectives. “Laborer” is not as close as “technician,” which best captures the sense of working on technological (hence mechanical) things.

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MENDICANT

Possible Answers:

Seamstress

Thief

Perjurer

Beggar

Liar

Correct answer:

Beggar

Explanation:

You might know the word “mendacious,” which means “lying.” The word “mendicant” does not mean this but instead means “beggar.” The word is often used to describe certain religious order in the Roman Catholic church, which arose in the Middle Ages, like the Franciscans and Dominicans who originally made their living begging while they preached. The word can be used more broadly, but it also is important to know this historical usage, as it comprises a significant factor in late pre-modern history.

All ISEE Upper Level Verbal Resources

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